Section 139B Powers of investigationF1F2
A person authorised under section 139A(1) above—
has a right of access at all reasonable times to any document relating to the administration of benefit;
is entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any such document such information and explanation as he thinks necessary; and
is entitled, if he thinks it necessary, to require any such person to produce any such document or to attend before him in person to give such information or explanation.
A person authorised under section 139A(1) above is entitled to require any officer or member of an authority or any person involved in the administration of benefit for an authority—
to give him such information and explanation relating to the administration of benefit as he thinks necessary; and
if he thinks it necessary, to require any such person to attend before him in person to give the information or explanation.
A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) or (2) above is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
A person authorised under section 139A(1) above may—
require any document or information which is to be given to him under subsection (1) or (2) above to be given in any form reasonably specified by him; and
take copies of any document produced to him.
In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Ss. 138-140G repealed (1.4.2013 in so far as relate to the abolition of council tax benefit) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 14 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/358, art. 8(c), Sch. 4 (with arts. 9, 10, Sch. 5)
- F2
Ss. 139A-139C and cross-heading inserted (1.7.1997) by Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 (c. 47), ss. 5, 25(1); S.I. 1997/1577, art. 2, Sch.
Notes on Part VIII
Editorial notes
- X1
Unreliable words in heading.